As we looked at the three types of people being represented in Acts 3:1-11 we see different level but the same grace which leads us to HIM.

Chapter 3

Peter Heals the Crippled Beggar

1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer–at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man crippled from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

a vessel being used by GOD

a crippled man being healed

the witnesses watching the miracle of a transformed life

THE VESSEL

We see that in the early days of the church that the disciples we continuing in 5 areas the are essential to a healthy church

They continued in the WORD of GOD

They continued to FELLOWSHIP

They continued to remember what JESUS DID

They continued to PRAY

They continued to SERVE

This is essential to a vessel in which GOD works through. Peter and John we ready for what ever task God had for them. They understood that they had to totally commit their lives to HIS kingdom purposes.

We also looked at Matt 17 as Jesus took the three up on the mountain and reviled to them His glory, and then we saw latter in the chapter that a man took his demon possessed son to the disciples and they could not heal him. So the disciple asked why they couldn’t heal him so Jesus replied that that kind only comes out by pray and fasting. Wow earlier Jesus was teaching His disciples on pray and fasting, so what was going on down on the mountain when Jesus was on the top. We know what wasn’t happening, they weren’t praying and fasting.

They weren’t ready. HOW MANY TIMES HAVE WE MISSED OUT ON BEING USED BECAUSE WE WEREN’T READY? Paul tells “Timothy Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth”……because “ In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.”

THE CRIPPLE

God wants to do a complete healing in every ones life from the spiritual perspective. After all we are all beggars (spiritually dead) yet some of us found the bread of life. It is our job to show people where to find the bread of life.

However we see in scripture that not all respond to the GRACE

Luke 17

11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy [fn1] met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”

14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.

15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him–and he was a Samaritan.

17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

Have you been cleansed from your sin have you been given eternal life …… HAVE YOU GONE BACK TO PRAISE HIM?

THE WITNESSES

God has done a great miracle in the life of this man and the stood around in amazement asking and questions. That’s were the VESSEL was prepared and ready to give an answer. Maybe you know somebody whose life was dramatically change by JESUS and you are asking questions. Well the answer is simple they have been made new the SPIRIT of GOD is living in them and HE is transforming their life into the image of JESUS

Jesus speaks to those who look on with disbelief and says this in John 10:37 “Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does. 38 But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”

Are you a miracle or are you looking at one? Either way GOD is speaking HIS WORD into your life and no matter were you are in this process you are you have a responsibility to RESPOND to HIS GRACE in your life. So I ask the question again